by Jeanni Ritchie
My friend Mari and I arrived to Just Dance’s Company Showcase and were seated right behind 4 five-year-olds whose energy matched my own. I love kids!
But if we thought WE had energy, we were no match for Just Dance’s company dancers who blew us away with their numbers. The set was Broadway-caliber, the choreography rivaled the Rockettes, and I sat through most of the show slack-jawed at the level of talent onstage.
I couldn’t dance along but I couldn’t sing and I joined in numbers like This is Me and Footloose, whose costumes of crop top knotted white tees, jeans, and Converse looked incredibly cute on the dancers.
I’d have looked more like Rosie the Riveter!
DJ and host Shy Tyler deemed the MIB number her favorite costume as dancers donned their best agent attire and moved to superspy beats.
One of my favorite numbers was Shake It Off, performed by the junior company dancers with so much sass I wondered what they were like at home. So adorable!
The junior company dancers are Amelia C., Anderson G., Ainsley-Klaire U., Mia M., Hailey J., Hadleigh Z., Rodzlynn M., Miley F., Abby W., Delaney G., and Charlotte S.
The opening number was a medley of hits with all three troupes- the junior company dancers, teen company, and senior company. It was just fantastic and set the stage (literally and figuratively!) for an incredible showcase including Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend, Vogue, MIB, Paparazzi, and a finale in which the instructors took center stage and showed the teachers dispelling the notion that those who can’t do, teach. They COULD and they DID.
And they did an amazing job. I was clapping with my hands and jumped to my envious two left feet when it ended, joining the standing O for a job well done by the instructors and the dancers.
The teen company is comprised of Madyson B., Vivian-Kate S., Caroline S., Westin C., Karsyn J., Stuart J., Sophia S., Presley P., Audrey C., Raelynn C., and Libby Claire M.
The Sr. Company is comprised of Lana L., McKenzie K., Emery L, Emily W., Emma N., Camryn S., Grace B., Miller C., Sydney G., Audrey F., Megan S., Madeline J., Campbell O., Lily T., Elli F., Madison S., and Emmie S.
Instructors are Ella Langston, Katie Riche’, Reghan Littlepage, Sarah Foreman, Mandy Frazier, owner Jennifer Rachal, Kayla Fung, Kim Ashy, Jessica Cole, Emma Brinkman, Erika Stokes, and Sarah Bordelon.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered…Just Dance, I am yours!
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
